Poduri Appointed NINDS Deputy Director
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) appointed pediatric neurologist and physician-scientist Dr. Annapurna Poduri as deputy director. She officially joined the institute in October.
Prior to joining NINDS, Poduri was professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the epilepsy genetics and neurogenetics programs, associate chief for academic development in the Department of Neurology, and the Diamond Blackfan chair of neuroscience research at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH).
A leader in the field of epilepsy genetics, Poduri’s work has led to the discovery of several genes associated with epilepsy. Her pioneering research in the field of somatic mutation in neurodevelopmental disorders has advanced the understanding of the causes of epilepsy and related disorders. She focuses on providing diagnoses and treatment using genome sequencing in children with epilepsy and their families.
“Dr. Poduri’s research expertise, including basic, translational and clinical work in pediatric neurological disorders; her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and her extensive understanding of the importance of mentoring will help NINDS make progress toward achieving our mission,” said NINDS Director Dr. Walter Koroshetz. “I know she’ll be an essential addition to the team. We’re lucky to have her on board!”
As deputy director, Poduri will work with Koroshetz in program planning, budgeting and guiding the institute’s scientific and administrative functions. She also will continue her scientific research as part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) intramural program. Her BCH lab will move to Bldg. 6 to study neurodevelopment using zebrafish as a model for genetic neurological disorders.
“I’m excited to start a new chapter in service of science with Dr. Koroshetz, the NINDS team and the NICHD scientific community,” she said.
Poduri earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University, her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She completed a residency in pediatrics and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at BCH and a residency in child neurology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Throughout her career, Poduri has received many honors, including the American Neurological Association’s Derek Denny-Brown Young Neurological Scholar Award, the American Academy of Neurology’s Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award and the Harvard Club of Boston’s Most Influential Women designation.
Poduri has served on scientific advisory boards for companies and foundations devoted to developing precision medicine and targeted treatments for people with epilepsy and has been the principal investigator and collaborator on several NIH-supported grants.